At Last... Impatiens That Thrive in the Sun - by Evelyn Fielding of Beier's Greenhouse

You rarely hear the word “sun” in the same sentence with “impatiens” unless it's someone saying, “Don't put impatiens in the sun!” Now, breeders have developed impatiens that love the sun and bloom gorgeous-colored flowers all summer long.

Aptly named Sunpatiens, these lovely plants have all the best-loved characteristics of regular, shade-loving impatiens: bright, open-faced flowers, tons of foliage, and a bushy habit perfect for hanging baskets and mass plantings in borders. And they don't mind full sun or partial shade, making Sunpatiens an excellent addition to your garden landscape.

Here's a partial list of Beier's Sunpatiens for this season. Use them instead of lobelia or verbena to brighten up the annual garden border!

SunPatiens Variegated Spreading Salmon

True bi-colored green and gold leaves make this impatiens a delight. Wait until it blooms—the open faced salmon-pink flowers absolutely cover the plant with color. The Spreading Salmon stays compact, with a 20 inch radius not uncommon. Flowers can be up to three inches in diameter. If you're using this plant in a hanging basket or container, don't crowd it out. You might find a mass planting in an annual bed a good choice, as the Spreading Salmon's bushy habit acts as a ground cover.

SunPatiens Compact Deep Rose

Compact Deep Rose sunpatiens create a mound of vibrant, deep-pink blooms making for eye-catching hanging baskets and containers. It blooms three-inch-wide flowers above dark green leaves and stays a little smaller than other sunpatiens at around two feet in height and width. Compact Deep Rose blooms all summer despite heat and dry weather. You'll want to bring a specimen or two inside in the fall for fun houseplants.

SunPatiens Compact Magenta

Vigorous Compact Magenta sunpatiens are ideal for borders, mass planting, and large containers. These plants grow up to 2 feet in height and width and supply a profusion of vivid magenta-colored blooms. This one doesn't mind a little dryness, so it's great for hard-to-water beds and along fence lines. Butterflies and hummingbirds will love this color.

SunPatiens Vigorous Coral

A true coral color is hard to find in most annual plants, but the Vigorous Coral sunpatiens delivers just the right shade of orange-pink. Sunpatiens tend to bloom several weeks before other impatiens and keep on blooming all summer. Will grow up to two feet in diameter in a hanging basket or container garden, or may reach three feet in diameter if planted in an annual bed. Pair Vigorous Coral sunpatiens with any yellow bloomer for a stunning display in your large container.

SunPatiens Vigorous Lavender

Looking for a lovely lavender bloom to contrast with pinks and whites? Vigorous Lavender sunpatiens are the answer. Blooms a lavender-pink shade that contrasts stunningly with the deep green of the leaves. These large, mounded plants may grow up to 3 feet in diameter and thrive in poor, dry soils and sun. Will stay smaller if planted in a large container or hanging basket.